Cleveland ace Shane Bieber throws rehab assignment, could pitch again this season

Cleveland's sole focus as the 2021 season winds down, as it pertains to ace and reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, is 2022 and his long-term health. With that in mind, Bieber won't be rushed back if it's deemed at all medically risky.

But if the team and the medical staff agree that it could be in his best interest to get on a major league mound once or twice in the final weeks of the season, it remains possible Bieber pitches for Cleveland again this year.

The righthander threw a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus Tuesday night, tossing 47 pitches in 2 2/3 innings while allowing one run, three hits and striking out three. Bieber will throw at least one more rehab appearance in the minor leagues, but after that, it could be possible that he next pitches in the majors, even if it's a shortened outing.

That would be the team's preference, at least, if all goes well.

"It's hard to say, but I think it's important that he does pitch in a big league game this season," said acting manager DeMarlo Hale. "I don't want to say like I feel like we're up against it, but we're going to do the right thing. He felt good, nothing was major from his rehab start that I've heard of. Hopefully next week, maybe a rehab start again, and hopefully, that comes out very good. And then we've got two weeks left. We'll try to slide him into pitching in a big league game. That's my wish."

Bieber was placed on the injured list on June 14 with a shoulder strain and has progressed through a slow rehab. Before hitting the IL, he was 7-4 with a 3.28 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings.